Another day, another sweep; Volleyball streak reaches seven

ORANGE, Calif. – Three weeks ago, the thought of "home"coming was far from a welcoming one to the Chapman University women's volleyball team. However, the Panthers kicked off Homecoming Weekend at Chapman University with their fourth consecutive home win – a three-game sweep (25-16, 25-20, 25-20) over visiting Southwestern College (Ariz.) – at the Hutton Sports Center on Friday night.

Despite beginning the season 0-4 at the Hutton Center, Chapman (16-10) has now won four home matches in a row – all coming via the three-game sweep. The Panthers continued their second-half tear winning their seventh straight match overall and improving to 11-2 since Sept. 23.

Southwestern (15-7) was a tougher opponent than the scores would indicate, limiting Chapman to just a .200 hitting percentage and playing solid defense with four players earning double-digits in digs. However, the Eagles saw their own 10-match winning streak come to an end, unable to string together points as well as the Panthers.

The Eagles fell behind in all three sets and staged comeback attempts in the second and third sets, but it was too little too late against Chapman. Sophomore MB Kate Ferrin put the finishing touches on Southwestern in the final set, earning five of her 11 kills to pace the Panthers offensively. Freshman OH Mady Dahlstrom led all players with 13 kills.

Senior S Kat Kowalski earned 26 assists and pitched in on defense with 12 digs. Junior MB Nalani Haviland added three blocks, including a solo block.

For Southwestern, senior MB Jennifer Haynes led the way with 10 kills and four blocks (three solo, one assist).  

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

Boxscore: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/sports/wvball/2010-11/files/swc-cu.htm